Latch mechanism



Jan. l1, 1966 E, L, WEBER ETAL l 3,228,054

LATCH MECHANISM Filed May 17. 1963 fi .4/ if Z5 ZA g fg www United States Patent O 3,228,054 LATCH MECHANISM Ernst L. Weber, 911 E. Cedar, Burbank, Calif., and Gilbert W. Younger, Hacienda Heights, Calif., assignors to said Ernst L. Weber Filed Maf,l 17, 1963, Ser. No. 281,284 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) The present invention relates to latch mechanisms, and more particularly to latch mechanisms for mounting a handle to a mop head, for example.

While the present invention has relation to apparatus for coupling together a pair of structural elements in rigid but releasable connection, the invention is described herein in conjunction with a self-wringing mop as a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. A self-wringing mop according to the present invention constitutes an improvement over the self-wringing mop disclosed in United States Patent 2,869,161, issued January 20, 1959, to Virgil K. Cooper.

In presently available mops, whether or not of the selfwringing type, a mop handle is either secured hingably to a mop backing member or 4rigidly and non-releasably to an element for mounting the absorbent part of the mop.

As noted above, the present invention provides that the operating head of the mop is releasably yet rigidly connected to a mop handle. This connection is accomplished between a backing member and a mounting member connected to the mop handle and provides a simple, firm and quickly releasable connection between the mop handle and mop head. Actuation of the latch mechanism is accomplished rapidly without the use of special tools.

Generally speaking, the present invention provides latch means for releasably securing together a first member and a second member. The rst member has a plurality of lugs projecting therefrom at locations defined according to a predetermined pattern. A corresponding plurality of lug receptacle means are disposed on the second member according to the predetermined pattern. A detent element is provided on one of the members and is engagable as described below with the other of the members. To assemble the members together into latched condition one of the lugs is engaged with a corresponding receptacle means and the members are pivoted relative to one another about the engaged lug and receptacle means until the remaining lugs and receptacle means are engaged. The detent element is so disposed that it is engagable with the other of the members when all lugs are engaged with their corresponding receptacle means to maintain releasable engagement of the lugs and receptacle means. The members are disengaged by disengaging the detent element from the other member and pivoting the members relative to one another in an opposite direction.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the latch mechanism, the detent element is formed integral with the member on which the receptacle means are arranged. It is also preferred that the receptacle means be formed integral with the second member.

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention are more clearly set forth in the following detailed description and explanation of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a top plan view of a latch mechanism according to the present invention showing an alternate position of the mounting member in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a selfwringing sponge mop constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the self-wringing sponge mop illustrated in FIG. 2 in its open condition;

ice

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation View taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through an engaged lug and `lu g receptacle means.

In the following description and in the accompanying drawings identical character numbers refer to identical elements of structure.

Referring initially to FIGS. l, 2, Vand 3, a self-wringing mop 1l) is illustrated. The mop includes an elongated khandle 11 which preferably is fabricated of Wood, a body of moisture absorbent material 12, absorbent material mounting member 13 which is secured to the lower end of the shaft, and a wringer arm 14. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, 'the moisture absorbent material comprises a pair of sponge-like pads 15 and 16 which are of elongated block shape and extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of handle 11. Pads 15 and16 preferably are fabricated from natural or plastic sponge-like material which is soft, porous and water absorbent. Pads 15 and 16 are disposed in side-by-side relationship and are preferably joined integrally along a common edge '17. As is best seen in FIG. 2, in cross-sectional shape the pads each have a rectangular base portion 18 and 19, respectively, surmounted by a front portion 20, 21, respectively, meeting at an apex angle of approximately Both pads are of the same shape and size with the base portions thereof being joined integrally along the common side. The particular angular shape of pads 15 and 16 is highly desirable to 4obtain the proper wringing action as will hereinafter be described.

One of a pair of elongated rectangular backing members 23 and 24 is secured by a suitable adhesive to the back of each pad for supporting the pad. Preferably each backing member is fabricated from heavy gauge sheet metal to provide a substantially rigid base for the sponge pads; a molded plastic may be used if desired. The backing plates are disposed parallel to one another and parallel to common edge 17 of pads 15 and 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjacent edges of backing plates 23 and 2dare rolled over to journal opposite sides of an elongated hinge loop 25 so that the backing plates are pivotable relative to one another about common edge 17 of pads 15 and 16. The longitudinal edges of the backing plates which are spaced apart from the hinge connection dene flanges 26 which extend into the body of sponge material.

Mounting member 13, adapted for securing one of the identical backing plates to handle 11, includes a socket portion 27 which is secured to the lower end of shaft 11 as by threading, stapling, gluing, or 'any other suitable means. From the socket portion there extends a planar portion 28 which has a peripheral edge 29 (see FIG. l). A plurality of lugs or projections 30, 31 and 32 extend integrally from the planar portion of the mounting member outwardly from peripheral edge 29 and preferably are disposed within the plane of planar portion 28. As illustrated most clearly in FIG. l, lug 31 is disposed sub stantially in line with the axis of shaft 11. Lugs 30 and 32 preferably are spaced substantially equidistantly from lug 31 and are disposed transversely of the axis of shaft 11. An extension 33 is provided from planar portion 28 of Ithe mounting member 'at a location preferably between lugs 31 and 32 and defines a shoulder 34 opening counter-clockwise toward lug 32. Preferably each of lugs 30, 31 .and 32 has a straight leading edge 35 which open-s clockwise of the periphery of the planar portion.

It was briefly mentioned above that each of backing members 23 and 24, provided as support means for the sponge pads, is identical. Accordingly, only backing member 23 will be described herein in detail. A plurality of lug receptacles 37, 38 and 39, adapted for cooperation with lugs 30, 31 and 32, respectively, are disposed about a central location of backing member 23 according to a predetermined pattern which corresponds to the pattern according to which the lugs are extended from mounting member planar portion 28. Preferably, receptacles 37, 38 and 39 are formed integrally with backing member 23 by stamping out suitable recess portions, one of which is shown more clearly in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 1, receptacle 37 preferably opens slightly to the rear of plate 23; that is, toward the edge of plate 24 which is secured to hinge member 25. Receptacle 38 preferably opens directly toward the front or lianged edge of backing member 23, and receptacle 39 preferably is disposed substantially parallel to receptacle 37 but opens in an opposite direction to the direction in which receptacle 37 opens.

A resiliently biased detent element 40 is connected to backing member 23 at a location preferably disposed between receptacles 38 and 39. Preferably detent element 40 is formed integrally with backing member 23 by forming a substantially U-shaped opening 41 in the backing member to define a canti-levered portion of the backing member, which cantilevered portion comprises the detent element. It is therefore preferred that the backing member is fabricated from a material which has at least nominal resilience. An off-set portion 42 of the detent element intermediate its supported and unsupported ends is raised above the plane of the adjacent backing element as at 42. As shown in FIG. 4, olf-set portion 42 of the detent element may be moved from its normally raised position into aligned coplanar register with the adjacent portion of the backing member by resiliently deforming or deecting the cantilevered detent member about its supported root end. As seen in FIG. 1, the unsupported end of the detent element is accessible for manual depression when the mounting member is coupled to the backing member.

Wringer arm 14 has connected thereto a planar portion 45 which is configured substantially identically to planar portion 28 of mounting member 13. From Wringer arm planar por-tion 45 there extends a semicylindrical section 46 adapted to nest over socket portion 27 of mounting member 13 (see FIG. 2) and which terminates in a laterally flanged grip portion 47 which may be manually engaged to actuate the self-wringing mop. Actuation of the mop includes moving the Wringer arm from an operated condition of the mop (shown in FIG. 2)wherein the sponge pads are disposed for mopping action on a licor or the like, to a wringing position in which the sponge pads are disposed between the blacking members and are compressed between the backing members to wring moisture from the sponge pads. For a more complete explanation of the operation of the self-wringing sponge United States Patent 2,869,161 is referred to.

It is a feature of the present invention that the backing members 23 and 24, secured to sponge pads 15 and 16, respectively, are releasably but rigidly secured to mop handle 11 by means of mounting member 13 in cooperation with Wringer arm 14. As illustrated in FIG. 3, mounting mem-ber 13 is releasably engaged with backing member 23 and wringer arm 14 is releasably engaged with backing member 24. When the mop is in its perating condition, the Wringer arm is held to socket portion 27 of the mounting member by a pair of resiliently biased spring grip lingers 48 which engage mounting member socket portion 27 and =in cooperation with the semi-cylindrical portion 46 of the Wringer arm, maintain a secure alignment of the Wringer arm relative to mounting member 13 and to mop hand-le 11. Since backing members 23 and 24 are identical, and since planar portions 28 and 45 of mounting member 13 and Wringer arm 14, respectively are identical, only the connection of the mounting member to backing member 23 will be described herein in detail.

To engage mounting member 13 with backing member 23, planar portion 28 of the backing member is juxtaposed with backing member 23 substantially as shown in FIG. l; that is, mounting member planar portion 28 is engaged against the upper surface of the backing member. Lug 30 is inserted into receptacle 37. As illustrated in FIG. 5, each of lugs 30, 31 and 32, has the leading edge 35 thereof depressed slightly to define a cam upper surface 50 of the lug which engages an under surface 51 of the corresponding receptacle. After lug 30 is engaged in receptacle 37, the mounting member is -pivoted relative to the backing member about the point of engagement of lug 30 with receptacle 37. As the mounting member planar portion is pivoted relative to the backing member, lugs 31 and 32 engage receptacles 38 and 39, respectively; such engagement .is facilitated by the cam-ming action between surfaces 50 and 51 of the lugs and receptacles, respectively. Detent element 4t) is disposed in backing member 23 so that it is engaged by the under surface of extension 33 as lugs 31 and 32 move into engagement with receptacles 38 and 39, respectively. The camming action of the lugs with the receptacles forces the mounting member toward the backing member to depress detent element 40. The locations of extension 33 on the mounting member and of detent element 40 on the backing member are such that shoulder 34 of extension 33 passes over oli-set portion 42 of the detent element when lugs 31 and 32 move into secure engagement with their corresponding eceptacles. According, detent element 40 moves from a depressed condition into its normal position, illustrated in FIG. 4, so that ofi-set portion 42 abuts shoulder 34 of the mounting member planar portion 28 and thereby secures the mounting member into a latched or securely engaged condition with backing member 23. Movement of the lugs into the corresponding receptacles ceases when edges 35 of the lugs abut in the respective receptacle recesses. The backing member is disengaged from mounting member 13 merely by depressing the unsupported end of detent element 40 to move detent element off-set portion 42 from abutment with shoulder 34. Thereafter the lugs may be disengaged from their corresponding receptacles by a process which is the reverse of that described above. v

Wringer arm 14 is engaged and disengaged with backing member 24 by a process identical to that described above.

Use of the latch mechanism described above in a selfwringing mop of the type described provides for convenient replacement of used sponge pads. The sponge pads are bonded or glued to their associated backing members such that they cannot become disengaged from the backing member during normal use of the mop. The backing members are securely engaged with the mounting member and with the Wringer arm by a positive mechanical interlock, rather than by a sliding tit as disclosed in Patent 2,869,161. To replace a used sponge element, .it is only necessary to unlock the mounting member and Wringer arm from the respective backing members of the sponge unit, and to reengage these members with the corresponding backing members of a replacement sponge unit.

The invention has been described above in conjunction with a self-wringing mop since the latch mechanism provided by the present invention presently finds its greatest utility in s-uch an article. It should he understood, however, that the novel latch mechanism described may be used to rigidly but releasably secure together a multitude of articles. For example, the latch mechanism may be used to secure a window washers squeegee to a suitable handle.

While the invention has been described above in conjunction with specitic apparatus, this has been by way of example only and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Latch means for Securing a substantially planar rst member to a substantially planar second member, the first member having three lugs extended therefrom essentially in the plane thereof at spaced apart locations according to a predetermined pattern, three lug receptacles formed integrally in the second member and raised in the same direction from the plane thereof at positions located according to the predetermined pattern, a cantilevered -resiliently deformable detent element formed integral with the second member independent of the receptacles and resiliently deformable relative thereto, the detent element having a portion normally raised above the adjacent portion of the second member in the direction of the lug receptacles and movable into alignment with the said adjacent -portion by depression of the free end of the detent element, the members being configured land arranged so that the first member is attachable to the second member by juxtaposing the first and second members in essentially parallel relation and by engaging a selected one of the lugs with a selected one of the lug receptacles and pivoting the rst member in the plane thereof relative to the second member about said one receptacle to engage the remaining iugs and receptacles, the detent ele-ment being disposed on the second member so that the first member depresses the detent element against the resilient bias thereof as the remaining lugs are engaged, the detent element engaging the rst member when the lugs are engaged to maintain said engagement.

2. Latch means according to claim 1 wherein each lug defines a cam surface on the side thereof opposite from the second member and each receptacle defines a cam engaging surface, engagement of the cam and cam engaging surfaces during engagement of the first and second members moving the first member toward the second member.

3. Latch means according to clai-m 1 wherein the first member includes an extension portion defining a shoulder disposed on the first member so that the extension moves over the normally raised portion of the detent element as the lugs and receptacles are moved into engagement to depress the same and said portion of the detent element returns to its normally raised position when the lugs and receptacles are engaged to abut the shoulder and to prevent counter-pivotal movement of the members.

4. In a mop comprising a substantially planar backing member, a moisture absorbent mop element secured to one side of the backing member, a mop handle, and a mounting member secured to one end of the handle, means for rigidly and releasably securing the mounting member to the backing member including a substantially planar portion of the mounting member spaced from the handle, at least three lug means extending from the mounting member planar portion in the plane thereof according to a predetermined pattern, a plurality of lug receptacle means corresponding in number to the number of lug means raised from the backing member and arranged about a central location thereof according to the predetermined pattern, and a resiliently biased detent element connected to the backing member, the detent element being disposed so that when a selected one of the lug means is engaged in a corresponding receptacle means and the mounting member planar portion is juxtaposed to the backing member in essentially parallel relation and is pivoted relative to the backing member about the engaged iug and receptacle means, the remaining lug and receptacle means are engaged and the detent element engages the mounting member to maintain releasable rigid engagement of the lug and receptacle means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the backing member comprises a piece of sheet metal lhaving the mop element secured to one side thereof, the detent element is formed integral with the backing member, the receptacle means are formed lintegral with and are raised from the other side of the backing element.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the detent element includes a portion normally raised above said other side of the backing member and which is deflectable into a position in substantial register with said backing member other side, said portion of the detent element being disposed in its normal position when all lug and receptacle means are engaged for abutting the mounting member to maintain said releasable rigid engagement.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the mounting member defines a shoulder disposed so as to be abutted by the normally raised portion of the detent element when the lug and receptacle means are engaged.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 534,741 2/1895 Davis.

811,494 1/1906 Freeman 24-230 1,196,617 8/ 1916 Truesdell. 1,356,800 10/ 1920 Vilandrer. 2,714,737 S/1955 Le Febvre et al 15-1 19.1 2,822,559 2/ 1958 Manville 287-103 X 2,869,161 1/1959 Cooper 15-119.1 2,988,764 6/1961 Gibbs 151'76 3,031,705 5/1962 Herman et al. l5-119.1

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiner. 

4. IN A MOP COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR BACKING MEMBER, A MOISTURE ABSORBENT MOP ELEMENT SECURED TO ONE SIDE OF THE BACKING MEMBER, A MOP HANDLE, AND A MOUNTING MEMBER SECURED TO ONE END OF THE HANDLE, MEANS FOR RIGIDLY AND RELEASABLY SECURING THE MOUNTING MEMBER TO THE BACKING MEMBER INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR PORTION OF THE MOUNTING MEMBER SPACED FROM THE HANDLE, AT LEAST THREE LUG MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE MOUNTING MEMBER PLANAR PORTION IN THE PLANE THEREOF ACCORDING TO A PREDETERMINED PATTERN, A PLURALITY OF LUG RECEPTACLE MEANS CORRESPONDING IN NUMBER TO THE NUMBER OF LUG MEANS RAISED FROM THE BACKING MEMBER AND ARRANGED ABOUT A CENTRAL LOCATION THEREOF ACCORDING TO THE PREDETERMINED PATTERN, AND A RESILIENTLY BIASED DETENT ELEMENT CONNECTED TO THE BACKING MEMBER, THE DETENT ELEMENT CONDISPOSED SO THAT WHEN A SELECTED ONE OF THE LUG MEANS ITS ENGAGED IN A CORRESPONDING RECEPTACLE MEANS AND THE MOUNTING MEMBER PLANAR PORTION IS JUXTAPOSED TO THE BACKING MEMBER IN ESSENTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION AND IS PIVOTED RELATIVE TO THE BACKING MEMBER ABOUT THE ENGAGED LUG AND RECEPTACLE MEANSA, THE REMAINING LUG AND RECEPTACLE MEANS ARE ENGAGED AND THE DETENT ELEMENT ENGAGES THE MOUNTING MEMBER TO MAINTAIN RELEASABLE RIGID ENGAGEMENT OF THE LUG AND RECEPTACLE MEANS. 